Authored by Ceetee Sheckels in Nutrition 
Published on 11-09-2009

As more and more people are beginning to take a serious look at their dietary habits in order to choose more healthful foods, it can sometimes be difficult to know which foods actually do offer health benefits and which ones are little more than hype. Cantaloupe is one food which does provide a number of health benefits.

The nutrients found in cantaloupe are quite impressive for one single food product. Vitamin C is one of the numerous nutrients contained in cantaloupe. Nearly everyone knows how essential Vitamin C is to good health. It assists in warding off and recovering from colds, promotes healing, and increases the production of white blood cells. Rather than getting your supply of Vitamin C from supplements, cantaloupe is an all-natural option.

Potassium is a nutrient which few people think of when they are considering dietary essentials. While it is dangerous for your body to be depleted of potassium, too much potassium can also have negative effects on your health. This is why consuming food which is rich in potassium is better for most people than taking supplements. Your heart, muscles, and blood pressure all benefit from having an adequate amount of potassium in your body. The importance of the delicate balance of this electrolyte is so important that people are usually advised to not take potassium supplements without their doctor’s advice, but the average healthy person can benefit from the potassium found in its natural state in a food product such as cantaloupe.

Most people these days are aware of how important antioxidants are to good health. The antioxidants found in cantaloupe will help to protect the cells from damage. Antioxidants help the body fight against the free radicals which can lead to disease. As cantaloupe is rich in antioxidants, this factor alone makes it a positive addition to your diet.

As a compound found in cantaloupe is a natural blood thinner, this makes cantaloupe an excellent source of heart health. However, if you are on any type of prescription medication for heart problems, you must request your doctor’s advice before adding cantaloupe to your diet.

Although studies are not yet one hundred percent conclusive, it is strongly suggested that cantaloupe can assist in protecting a diabetic from complications of diabetes.

As a cup of cantaloupe contains only fifty-four calories, and provides essential dietary fiber, it is also a wonderful food for those who wish to lose weight. You can enjoy one or more servings of this delicious fruit every day without concern about adding on pounds. Although cantaloupe is available in juice form, you will want to try it in its natural state for the most benefits. Even better, you can gain all of these health benefits at the same time.

While there are many foods readily available which provide health benefits, there are few which are as nutritious and delicious as a cantaloupe. If you do not have any medical contraindications, you will want to add this tasty fruit to your everyday diet.